Floods sweeping across Thailand have forced the temporary shutdown of four Toyota plants and the suspension of cargo operations by flag carrier Thai Airways, the companies confirmed on Wednesday (30th September). The disruption comes as the country prepares for further heavy rain next week.
Thailand’s weather agency has forecast heavy rain from 5th–8th October, with increased rainfall expected particularly in the northeast and north of the country. Bangkok was declared an area affected by disaster after receiving 320mm of rain over three days late last week, a volume equal to what the capital typically records throughout the entire month of September.
The downpour overwhelmed drainage systems across large parts of the city, which sits on low ground. Residents in several districts found themselves navigating waist-deep water, while businesses and transport links suffered repeated interruptions.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters that Bangkok, its wider metropolitan area, and Thailand’s central region remain at risk from floodwaters still flowing southwards from the north. He confirmed that a war room has been established to monitor developments, coordinate the national response, and ensure rapid decision-making should further rainfall intensify the situation. Officials are also monitoring reservoir levels and river flows that could add to the volume of water approaching the capital and surrounding provinces.
Assistant Bank of Thailand Governor Chayawadee Chai-anant said the flooding had already affected the services, retail, wholesale, and construction sectors. Manufacturing had not yet suffered broad disruption, she noted, although Toyota had temporarily closed four plants after floodwater interrupted deliveries of essential parts. Toyota’s Thai unit suspended operations at three of its own plants, while the fourth facility belongs to its joint venture, Toyota Auto Works.
The Japanese carmaker is coordinating with suppliers to restore deliveries and restart production as soon as possible. The government has stressed that the impact on manufacturing remains limited beyond the Toyota closures, although the disruption to parts supply chains highlights the vulnerability of Thailand’s automotive sector to severe weather events.
Thai Airways suspended all inbound and outbound cargo operations from Wednesday 30th September through to 6th October after many employees were unable to travel to work because of flooded roads. Chief Executive Chai Eamsiri said on Wednesday that about 80%–90% of employees had now returned to work and that the airline would strive to restore capacity as fully as possible. Thai Airways aims to resume its normal schedule of 115 outbound flights per day within seven days of the disruption beginning.
Flooding also caused significant disruption at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport on Tuesday. About half of Thai Airways’ workforce was unable to report for duty, leaving thousands of bags piled up and forcing numerous flight cancellations, although the airport itself remained operational throughout.
The airline has indicated it will prioritise the restoration of passenger services once cargo operations resume and more staff can reliably reach their posts. Its progress will be closely watched by travellers and the wider tourism industry in the days ahead.
Government spokesperson Ekkapob Pianpises put the death toll at 40, citing figures from the Health Ministry. The interior ministry has reported at least 24 deaths in its own count, with 44 of Thailand’s 77 provinces affected overall and flooding still present in 32 of those provinces on Wednesday.
In Ratchaburi, about 80km west of Bangkok, riverside communities have been flooded and evacuations are under way. The Office of the National Water Resources said six other provinces have been placed on high alert.
Authorities are draining Bangkok’s floodwater into the canal network and aim to return conditions to normal within two or three days, Mr Pianpises said. Recovery work in the capital is focused on pumping and clearing canals so that roads and residential areas can reopen, while evacuation efforts in Ratchaburi and the provinces on high alert remain active.
Ms Chai-anant added that the flooding was unlikely to affect the annual meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, scheduled to take place in Bangkok from 12th–18th October. Contingency plans have nevertheless been prepared as a precaution.
The meetings will take place as authorities continue to manage the disruption to industrial production and air cargo logistics caused by the flooding.
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